Effects of different levels of Cichorium intybus hay on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Fars native lambs

Herbage grasses are investigated as a new eatable resource for animal ration in proper production. Chicory is one of those plants that can improve animal product and can have positive effect on livestock health. Cicory secondary metabolite features such as indigestibility and selective interaction intestine microflora, is the cause of using that plant in livestock ration (Barry, 1998). The aim of this study is investigating the effect of different levels of chicory plant.
In this experiment, in a completely randomized design, effects of different levels of chicory plant hay on fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Torky ghashghaii lambs were studied. Treatments were included 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percentages of chicory that replaced with alfalfa in ration. Each ration contained 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. Thirty Torky ghashghaii male lambs were divided into five groups. Two weeks for adaptation period and three months for main period of experiments were considered. Daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratios during fattening period and carcass charachteristics was determined at the end of experiment. Carcass segmented on Iranian usual method (Farid, 1991). Final data were analyzed by GLM program and SAS software. Means compared by Donkan test.
Means of final live body weight, feed intake and daily gains were significantly different between treatments (P Using dry chicory hay caused reduction of daily feed intake, daily gain and final body weight. Although increase in lean weight percentage, leg weight percentage and hand weight percentage was observed but fat weight percentage decreased. Due to results of this study, use of 25 and 50 percentage of chicory plant hay could be recommended in ration of Torky Ghashghaee lambs.